5 questions with Cal expert

To learn more about Oregon State's upcoming opponent, BeaversEdge.com chatted with GoldenBearReport.com publisher Trace Travers, who covers the Cal Bears. Check out the Q&A below!

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In flux is probably the best way to describe it, as the Bears are in a bit of offensive turmoil at the moment. The QB carousel has hindered the offense to this point, as they’ve been identity-less and turnover prone. The last three weeks alone, QB Brandon McIlwain has committed 11 turnovers (7 interceptions, 4 fumbles), five of which have been returned for touchdowns. That’s been the biggest contributor to this 0-3 run.

The defense, while at times struggling with tackling, can be very good, but they’ve been placed in some bad situations by the struggles of the offense. They’re allowing 19 points per game right now, which is pretty solid, though the Cal offense has had six turnovers returned for TDs, which is an unprecedented number.

In all, this was a year where Cal could’ve projected eight wins if projected growth had taken place, but it seems as though the offense has regressed as much as the defense has taken a step forward.

It’s been a bit odd, as Bowers came into the season as the starter. He got pulled relatively early in the opener, and as we’ve recently found out, he’s been injured. That said, a prevailing opinion was that he would’ve been passed up either way. I’m not too sure, but Garbers and McIlwain did look more explosive as fall camp ended.

With that, McIlwain’s started the previous two games, but considering how turnover prone he’s been, there’s a likelihood that Garbers will be seen against Oregon State. Both can run on read option plays, while McIlwain’s been the most explosive player on the Cal offense, Garbers has been the better deep ball thrower and someone who’s a bit more poised in the pocket. You’ll likely see both Garbers and McIlwain in some capacity during the game.

The one thing Cal’s had trouble with is bigger backs this year, as they struggled at times to bring down Joshua Kelley a week ago and they didn’t do too much in containing the Oregon stable of backs, who were in that same mold. For Oregon State, they’ll have to see what they can get in their run game. I’m not sure who’s playing QB for the Beavers this week, whether it’s Luton or Blount, but whoever it is has to be enough of a run threat to make Cal have to worry about him. The Bears are good at dealing with one-dimensional QBs. The Cal DB group is as good as any, but if the OSU offensive line can hold up enough, they can probably create a dent in the Cal defense with a consistent passing game.

On the negative end, it has been how much the offense has struggled, as there hasn’t really been a standout, other than left tackle Patrick Mekari. Patrick Laird hasn’t been the same player he was a year ago. Vic Wharton and Kanawai Noa both have had issues with drops. Michigan transfers Ian Bunting and Moe Ways have been alright, but nowhere near the needed production to make up for the struggles.

Defensively, it’s been the play of linebacker Evan Weaver. Head coach Justin Wilcox called him someone born about 30 years too late, and knowing the kind of person that he is, one that likes to hit, you could easily see him with massive shoulder pads and a cowboy collar in the 80s trying to destroy Joe Montana or something. Weaver, alongside Jordan Kunaszyk (another guy who makes nearly every tackle), has given the Bears stability in the middle of their defense.

My predictions have been off by a lot this year, so my guess is as good as anyone’s. Wilcox obviously has familiarity with Smith’s offenses, having played against UW a few times while Smith was the OC as well as playing against him at Oregon. If Cal gets their QB situation figured out, and plays turnover free, I could see them getting a close win, something like 28-24. If not, I could see Oregon State pulling out Smith’s first Pac-12 win in a 31-17 contest.